Collapsible frame for a shelter



April 9, 1957 .1. H. TURNER COLLAPSIBLE FRAME FOR A SHELTER j Filed Dec.9, 1954 2 She'ets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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April 9, 1957 Filed Dec. 9, 1954 J. H. TURNER 2,788,01 l

' COLLAPSIBLE FRAME FOR A SHELTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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waz 5 paa/t COLLAPSIBLE FRAME FOR A SHELTER James H. Turner, Deh'oit,Mich.

Application December 9, 1954, Serial No. 474,209

3 Claims. (Cl. 135-4) This invention relates to a collapsible frameworkfor a shelter of the tent type. The framework is adapted to support thecanvas of the tent.

The invention resides in the collapsible framework and particularly inthat portion of it embodied in an upper corner which includes adjacentside walls and the adjacent portion of the roof.

An object is to provide a collapsible framework of the characterdescribed which may be readily erected or readily torn down anddisassembled and wherein the separate structural parts are so fabricatedand fastened together that the complete framework may be disassembledinto a minimum number of structural subassemblies.

A complete structural assembly comprises a plurality of subassembliesand parts which may be fastened together in a minimum amount of time toerect the framework and which may be disassembled quickly to disassemblethe framework for packing, storing "and transportation. I

More particularly, the invention resides primarily in that portion ofthe framework which resides in one of the upper corners adjacent to theroof and which includes part of the frame of the adjacent side walls andthe roof structure itself. This framework corner section is soconstructed thatthe upright and lateral sections and the rafters of theroof may be swung into alignment with each other for storing andtransportation. For erection these parts may be swung to the positionthey will assume in the erected structure and they retain such erectposition when the assembly is complete.

The framework is simple and inexpensive and adapted for ease of assemblyand disassembly. It is of light weight and occupies a minimum amount ofspace and presents an attractive appearance.

The collapsible corner section which forms a dominant feature of theassembly is embodied in two modifications of the same general characteras hereinafter set forth but which modifications comprise substantiallysimilar elements.

A meritorious feature is that the framework is designed to provide astructural supporting frame for a generally rectangular type of tent.The four corner assemblies are similar and are connected together by thecross frame members. The corner assemblies may be uncoupled from certaincross frame members so that they can be folded into a small space andpacked for storage or shipment with the cross frame members that havebeen uncoupled therefrom. The entire framework may be packaged forstorage or shipment in a relatively small space.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features will moreparticularly appear from the following description, claims andaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a. schematic illustration of a framework embodying a preferredform of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation taken from the point of thearrow Z shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation taken from the point of the arrow 3shown in Fig. 2;

' 'nitecl States PatentO 2788,61 l 4 Patented 9, 19 57 Fig. 4 is a crosssectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the end of the ridge of the roof of thestructure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of a fragment of an end of a modified form ofthe framework;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view taken from the point of the arrow 7 inFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7; and,

Fig. 9 is an elevation partly in section taken from the point of thearrow 9 in Fig. 7.

The framework is shown as formed of metal and primarily metal tubes andin the structural assembly shown in Fig. 1 the framework is of agenerally rectangular shape provided with four upright legs indicated bythe numeral 10. These legs are connected together at their upper ends byside cross frame members 12 and end cross frame members 14. Roof framemembers 16 extend upwardly angularly from the legs and from the crossframe members as shown in Fig. l. The upper ends of these roof framemembers 16 are connected to each other and connected together by alongitudinal ridge member 18 as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

Each upper corner comprises a framework assembly. These frameworkassemblies are generally similar. As shown in Fig. l the two assembliesat each end are connected together by the end cross frame member 14.This cross frame member 14 comprises a relatively long intermediateportion 18 telescoped within a short end portion 20. It may be securedtherein by interlocked indentations 22 as shown in Fig. 2. There isrigidly secured to each end portion 20 linkage in the form of a pair oflinks 24. These two links 24 are disposed on opposite sides of the endsection 20 and may be welded thereto as shown. These links project asshown particularly in Fig. 2 downwardly angularly away from the adjacentend portion 20 and outwardly toward the outer end thereof. They alsoproject upwardly angularly away from the portion 20 and inwardly awayfrom the adjacent end thereof. The leg member 10 is hinged between thedownwardly projecting links upon a pin 26 which may be provided with aremovable nut 28 as shown in Fig. 3. A bridge portion 30 extends betweenthe two links as shown in Fig. 2. When the leg is unfolded from thecross frame member 18 to a position perpendicularly with respect theretoas shown in Fig. 2 the upper end of the leg abuts the bridge 30 andholds the leg in a position normal with respect to the cross member, allas shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The roof member indicated generally as 16 also comprises an intermediateportion and end portions telescoped thereover and secured thereby. Thisroof member is hinged between the upwardly extending portion of thelinks 24 upon a pin 32. Such pin may be provided with a removable nut 34as shown in Fig. 3. The end of the roof member 16 is turned over as at36 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 so that when the roof member is elevated tothe provided angle with respect to the cross frame member this portion36 engages the end of the cross frame member and determines the upwardangle of the roof member, all as shown in Fig. 2.

The upper ends of the roof members 16 have their end portions flattenedas shown in Fig. 5 and the outer ends of the ridge member 18 has its endportion flattened as shown in the same figure and such flattened endportions are detachably secured together by a bolt 38 provided with aremovable nut 40 as shown in Fig. 5. It will be seen that the end crossframe members and the roof members and the ridge member are all built upout of intermediate portions and an end portion which are all telescopedthereover' and this is for the purpose of convenience and attachmerit ina suitable manner as shown.

The construction disclosed in the first five figures also includes asupport 42 in the form of an angle welded or otherwise fixed to thelinkage 24 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This provides a stub likeprojection adapted to be received within the end of the hollow tubularside frame member 12. The bolt 44 may be r'entovably insertedtherethrough as shown in Fig. 4. This bolt has a nut 46 thereon so thatthese side frame members may be detachably coupled with the support 42or uncoupled there from as desired.

It will be seen that when the bolts 38 are removed from the oppositeends of the ridge member 18 and the roof frame members 16 are detached,the roof members 16 may be folded to lie substantially fiat against theend cross frame member 14. The leg 10 may be folded upwardly againstsuch cross frame member. Such cross frame member plus the leg plus theroof members may thereby be folded into a small package. This is truefor each end of the structure. The two side frame members 12 and theridge member 18 may be likewise collected and disposed in alignment. Thelegs may be suitably braced apart across the sides and across the endsadjacent to the bottom of the legs by any suitable cross frame members.On the other hand the legs may be sharpened so as to be driven in theground if such method of securement is desired. The invention does notconcern itself with this portion of the structure.

In the construction shown in Figs. 6 through 9 a slight modification isillustrated. The roof shown in Fig. 6 is what is called a hip roof.Generally the construction is similar but it differs in minor detail. Itis understood that although the fragment illustrated in Fig. 6 is butone end of the structure, a structure similar generally to that of Fig.1 is proposed and that the opposite end from that shown in Fig. 6 wouldbe duplicated. In Fig. 6 the legs are indicated as St), the end crossframe member as 52 and the side cross frame members as 54. The uprightangular roof members are indicated by the numeral 56 and the ridge roofmember by the numeral 58. The ridge member is adapted to be detachablycoupled with the upper ends of the angular rafter-like room members 56by having the flattened ends of the frame members detachabiy connectedby a bolt 6% in a manner similar to that shown and described in the viewof Fig. of the first construction.

Opposite ends of the cross frame side members 54 are provided withcorner assemblies as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. To each end of the crossframe member 54 is fixed linkage 62 in the form of a pair of linkswelded or otherwise attached to opposite sides of the tubular section54. This pair of links extends downwardly angularly with respect to theframe member 54 and toward the adjacent end thereof. The links arebridged together by a piece which is welded to the links and to theframe member 54. Between the outer ends of the link is swingably pivotedleg 50. It is pivoted thereto upon a pin 66 which is provided with aremovable nut 68.

In the figures of the drawings the leg is shown as unfolded to aposition substantially perpendicular with the respective cross members52 and 54. In such position the upper end of the leg abuts the bridgemember 64 so as to provide a limit for the unfolding member. The framemember 54 to which the linkage 62 is secured has a bracket support 70welded or otherwise secured to one of the links and projectingperpendicularly with respect to leg 50 and the cross frame member 54.This bracket support is adapted to receive one end of the end framemember 52 as shown and to have a removable bolt 72 pass therethrough tosecure the end frame member to the support.

The outer end of the cross frame member 54 has a bracket support 74welded or otherwise secured thereto. The roof rafter frame member 56 istelescoped over this stub support 74 and held detachably thereto by abolt 76 as shown in Figs. 1 and 7.

It is apparent that when the bolts 60 are removed from opposite ends ofthe ridge member 58, uncoupling the ridge member from the rafter members56 and uncoupling such rafter members from each other and the bolts 76are removed, uncoupling the lower ends of the rafter members from thesupports 74 and the bolts 72 are removed, uncoupling the opposite endsof the cross frame members 52 from the corner assemblies, such ridgemem- Y bled into a very small space.

3 lower ends of the legs may have cross frame members extendingtherebetween and detachably connected therewith by bolts or the like ina conventional manner. The framework would therefore be braced so thatit could be placed upright on the ground and occupy such position. Guidewires or cords might be extended from the tent to pegs in the ground ifsuch were desired in the manner well known. On the other hand the legsmight have their lower ends sharpened so as to be driven into the groundin much the same manner as tent stakes or upright supports.

What I claim is:

1. In a structural framework for a shelter, an upper corner assemblycomprising, in combination, a cross frame member, a pair of parallellinks fixed to opposite sides of the cross frame member adjacent to butspaced from one end thereof, said links having complementary endportions extending downwardly angularly away from the frame membertoward its end and at an acute angle with respect to said end portion ofthe frame member, a leg member pivoted between the downwardly extendingend of the portions of the links to be folded toward the cross framemember to a position of substantial parallelism therewith or to beunfolded away from the cross frame member to a position substantiallynormal thereto, a bridge portion extending between the links adapted tolimit the unfolding of the leg member to a position substantiallyperpendicular with respect to the cross frame member, one of said linksprovided with a stub support projecting perpendicularly with respect tothe link and substantially within the horizontal plane of the crossframe member and within the vertical plane of the leg member, and aframe member removably secured to said stub support as an extensionthereof, said corner assembly having a roof member extending upwardlyangularly therefrom at an acute angle with respect to the horizontalplane of the two frame members to support a ridge member of theframework.

2. In a structural framework for a shelter, an upper corner assemblycomprising, in combination, a cross frame member, a pair of parallellinks fixed to opposite sides of the cross frame member adjacent to butspaced from one end thereof, said links having complementary endportions extending downwardly angularly from the frame member towardsaid end thereof and at an acute angle with respect to said end portionof the frame member, the opposite complementary end portions of saidlinks extending upwardly angularly from the cross frame member and awayfrom said end thereof and at an obtuse angle with respect to said endportion of the frame member, a leg member pivoted between the downwardlyextending end portions of said links to be folded toward the cross framemember to a position of substantial parallelism with respect thereto orto be unfolded away from the cross frame member to a positionsubstantially perpendicular with respect thereto, a bridge portionextending between said links adapted to limit the unfolding of the legmember to a position substantially perpendicular with respect to thecross frame member, a roof member pivoted between the upwardly extendingend portions of the links to be folded toward the cross frame membersubstantially into parallelism therewith or to be unfolded away from thecross frame member to a position forming an acute angle with respectthereto, said roof member having its end adjacent to its pivot pointbent toward the cross frame member and adapted to engage the end thereofto limit the unfolding of the roof member with respect to the crossframe member to an acute angle with respect thereto, one of said linksprovided with a stub support projecting perpendicularly with respect tothe link and at a right angle with respect to said cross frame memberand substantially within the horizontal plane thereof and within thevertical plane of the leg member, and a frame member removably securedto said stub support as an extension thereof.

3. In a structural framework for a shelter, an upper corner assemblycomprising, in combination, a cross frame member, a pair of parallellinks fixed to opposite sides of the cross frame member adjacent to butspaced from one end thereof, said links having complementary endportions extending downwardly angularly from the frame member toward itsend and at an acute angle with respect to said end portion of the framemember, a leg member pivoted between the downwardly extending endportions of the links to be folded toward the cross frame member to aposition of substantial parallelism with respect thereto or to beunfolded away therefrom, a bridge portion extending between the linksadapted to limit the unfolding of the leg member to a positionsubstantially perpendicular with respect to the cross frame member, abracket support secured. to the end of the cross frame member andextending upwardly angularly at an acute angle with respect thereto, aroof member removably secured to said bracket support as a continuationthereof, a second bracket support secured to one of said linksprojecting perpendicularly with respect thereto and with respect to thevertical plane of the leg member and within the horizontal plane of thecross frame member and at a right angle with respect to said cross framemember, a second frame member adapted to be removably secured to saidsecond bracket support as a continuation thereof to extend at a rightangle with respect to the first mentioned cross frame member.

Curtis Dec. 5, 1939 Winquist Mar. 7, 1950

